Tree Landscape Referral Officer

Woollahra Council; Sydney; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fortnightly RDO

Subsidised gym membership via Fitness

Generous personal leave provisions

Learning and development opportunities

Reward and Recognition Program

Job summary

Woollahra Council invites applications for a Landscape Referral Officer to protect and enhance our urban forest. You will assess landscape and tree-related referrals tied to development applications and provide clear, evidence-based advice to internal and external stakeholders.

You will bring AQF Level 5 Diploma in Arboriculture or equivalent, strong knowledge of planning instruments and tree management standards, and experience in expert reports and court evidence.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in arboriculture at minimum AQF Level 5 (diploma), or equivalent.
• Technical knowledge of relevant Acts, Planning Instruments, arboriculture best practice and industry standards.
• Demonstrated experience in the assessment of development impacts on trees.
• Experience in reviewing a range of technical expert reports associated with the management of trees.
• Experience in giving evidence as an expert witness in the Land and Environment Court.

Responsibilities

• Assess and administer landscape and tree-related referrals associated with development applications.
• Provide high-quality technical advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure referrals are completed within required timeframes.
• Support compliance with relevant legislation, standards and industry best practice.

Skills

Oral communication

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Arboriculture knowledge

Conflict resolution

Project targets

Class C licence

Education

AQF Level 5 Diploma in Arboriculture

Tertiary qualifications in arboriculture

Job description

About us

Woollahra is an area steeped in natural beauty and heritage appealing to residents, businesses and visitors who enjoy its many parks, waterfront locations and historic buildings. Our people come from a diverse range of backgrounds and professions creating a dynamic workforce of over 400 staff members.

About the role

The Landscape Referral Officer is responsible for protecting and enhancing Council’s urban forest through the assessment and administration of landscape and tree-related referrals associated with development applications. The role provides high-quality technical advice to internal and external stakeholders, ensures referrals are completed within required timeframes, and supports compliance with relevant legislation, standards, and industry best practice.

About you

The ideal candidate is a qualified Arboriculture professional with strong technical expertise in tree assessment, planning controls, and industry standards. You will bring experience assessing development impacts on trees, reviewing technical reports, and providing clear, evidence-based advice.

Confident in providing clear and practical advice, you build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and approach challenging situations with professionalism and sound judgement.

• Tertiary qualifications in arboriculture at minimum AQF Level 5 (diploma), or equivalent.
• Technical knowledge of relevant Acts, Planning Instruments, arboriculture best practice and industry standards.
• Demonstrated experience in the assessment of development impacts on trees.
• Experience in reviewing a range of technical expert reports associated with the management of trees.
• Experience in giving evidence as an expert witness in the Land and Environment Court
• Proven performance and ability to achieve objectives and meet project targets.
• Oral communication skills and experience in negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to providing quality customer service.
• Class C motor vehicle licence.
• Commitment to EEO principles.
• Tree management experience in private sector

What’s in it for you?

We promote equal access to opportunities within the organisation and we pride ourselves on creating a safe and engaging working environment.

We are dedicated to looking after our staff, because if we look after our people, we will be better placed to look after our community.

Eligible staff will be entitled to some of the following benefits:

• Fortnightly RDO - we value your work/life balance
• Subsidised gym membership through Fitness Passport with access to 810+ fitness facilities
• Generous personal leave provisions (E.g. Long Service Leave after 5 years’ of continuous service, Parental Leave, My Leave, Study Leave)
• High quality learning and development opportunities
• Reward and Recognition Program

CLOSING DATE: 11:59PM on Wednesday 11 November 2026

Woollahra Council is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.

We are committed to reconciliation and strongly encourage all applicants, including, but not limited to, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, young people, mature aged workers, LGBTIQ and other minority groups to apply.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.